We welcomed 25 Hashers to the run this week starting at the Haven Restaurant near the Mother of Mary Statue. Boozer who set the trail with Dr. Who gave a rip roaring instructional clear precise chalk talk where he explained the trail was straight up the mountain with 630 steps as the first challenge, followed by a flat 1.5km walk along the ridge line. Then a short climb to the summit reaching the white cross with a fast run down 500 steps back to the Haven. The trail was well marked by the Hares, but Boozer stated that you must stay in line of sight of the Hashers in front of you, so you do not miss the left turn up to the summit.

All the excited hashers set off from the Haven racing up Tran Phu road heading to the temple where the trail started with a climb of 630 steps that tested the metal of everyone, it was a relentless climb to the top of the mountain. Once we reached the top of those first killer steps we descended the hill a short way to the ridge line where we reached he road. With relief on everyone’s faces along with any array of hot sweaty crutches, sore rectums and tired legs we turned left and headed along the ridge line road.

The ridge line walk was a scenic easy walk of 1.5km to the turn off to the left to ascend to the summit, the road was well marked by the Hares with red tape in line of sight of each other. But alas some the avid Hashers did not listen to the Hares instructions where they were advised to stay in line of sight of each other to ensure they all turned left at the well-marked trail with 22 red tapes and red paint markers on two trees that led to the white cross in the church. The smell of San Miguel beer at the down down site permeated to the top of ridge line, so strong was the aroma some cunning Hashers ran ahead of the pack and got lost and it was a long 3km walk down the mountain to the down down site for those lost soles (hehehehe).
With in trepidation and excitement the horde of not lost Hashers raced up the short well marked climb to the white cross where they enjoyed the magnificent panoramic views of Vung Tau before rolling down the steps past the Mother of Mary statue back to Tran Phu road and on to the down down site at the Haven.
Boozer opened the circle with a rousing welcome to the 821st VTH 3 international hash, welcoming all participants from all countries who have a common passion, Hashers desperate for a drink and drinkers desperate for a Hash.
Dr Who and Boozer who set the trail joined the circle where they were heartily thanked for setting a beautiful trail with magnificent views, a set of cunning, stunning killer steps at the start. With a rousing score of 10 out of 10 was awarded from an unnamed lady Virgin of European origin (rare thing these days).
This week we had 7 new virgins attending the Hash from all over the world, some from Russia, Vietnam, Ukraine, England and Botswana. As some of their names were difficult to pronounce check out the hash photos to be sure of their nationality: o)).
This week we had three Sinners with sins ranging from; I was sleeping at home and I thought I would come to the Hash but left late and arrived late to the hash (weak one!). Dr Who and Boozer were nominated as sinners by Radio Wave as the lost Hashers moaned and groaned with gusto that there was too much old red tape on the trail and that is why they got lost and it was the Hares fault (Really weak one), Boozer cut to the quick and explained with fervor that Hares are all volunteers’, it is not a profession and if any Hasher who was not satisfied with the trail markings were welcome to volunteer to be a Hare. They can set a trail of their own, to their exacting standards, and then we could in turn pontificate about their red tape setting abilities with glee (here here). With a noted silence from the lost Hashers and after all the hoofing, puffing, moaning and farting ceased the sinners circle ended with a vigorous swilling of cold icy San Miguel by the accused sinners (hic hic).
Mother Teresa, Boozer and the Bla Bla Restaurant supplied an eclectic array of fresh sandwiches and rolls which with passion were eagerly woofed, stuffed and pushed down with vigour by the merry band of Hashers.

We’ll meet again on Sunday, as always, at Hon Ru Ri: 1 pm for 1.30 pm start - in any weather!
On On!